Operating Hours, Restricted Travel, and Holiday Restrictions
Virginia regulates travel for loads that are overlength, overwide, or overweight. You should only move any large load between 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after sunset from Monday to Saturday.
Additionally, no travel can be completed on major holidays, including New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. For travel within city limits, this can only take place from 7:00 am to 9:00 am or 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Curfew hours may vary based on route and destination, so contact the Virginia Department of Transportation to verify the shipment route.
Signs, Flags, and Lights Requirements
Most oversized shipments require a variety of equipment, including signs, flags, and lights that help elevate the visibility of the haul.
Signs
Any over-dimensional load will require large “oversize load” signs at the front and rear of the vehicle. These signs should be made of large, black letters placed on a bright yellow background.
Flags
On wide loads, red or orange flags are required to be placed in each corner of the load. You should also place flags on the outermost areas of the overhang or the vehicle.
Lights
For a rear overhang of 4 feet or more, you should place a red light visible from a 500-foot distance. For loads over 12 feet wide or 75 feet long, a flashing/strobe amber light should also be visible from 500 feet.
Obtaining a permit
For more information on obtaining oversize or superload permits, call the Virginia Department of Transportation at 804-786-3495. You may also call 804-249-5130 about permit and shipping requirements.
The department operates between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm but will close for lunch hour until 1:30 pm. You may also submit permit requests on the Virginia Department of Transportation website at
https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/general/#hauling.asp.
